‘Tasha hasn’t let her cochlear implant stop her’

Love Island star Tasha’s dad on why it’s important for her to raise awareness, the messages he’s received online and the advice he wishes he could give her

- SAMUEL MCMANUS-MAXWELL

Love Island may have only been on our screens for a week, but the nation is – once again – gripped by the new series. The sexy singletons have been entertaining us night after night, but it is the show’s first ever deaf contestant, 23-year-old Tasha Ghouri, who has been winning fans over – and she is already a favourite to take home the £50,000 cash prize.

Her dad, Tarek, couldn’t be more proud of his daughter’s stint on the show so far. “I am blown away with how she’s conducted herself,” he tells us.

Describing Tasha as a peacemaker, he explains, “At school she was always helping other people get through their problems ahead of her. I am sure some of that might come into play a bit later with other episodes, but we shall see.”

Here, Tarek also tells us about Tasha’s “superpower” cochlear implant and the secret item he gave her to take with her into the villa...

What’s it been like watching Tasha on screen, Tarek? It’s been quite surreal in some ways. It’s moments of pride and moments of, “I miss my little girl.”

Did you have a big viewing party for the first episode? I watched it at home in my bed, actually!